I was employed as a sub-contracter for ASTUTE SATELLITE INSTALLATIONS from Jan. 17 to May 19, and installed and serviced Direct TV satellite systems for them. When I entered employment, I signed an employment contract stating that when employment was terminated by the employee, "... The Company shall be obligated to pay the employee any sums owed within 90 days."
They operate with a 3 week delay on pay for jobs. So I called on May 5th to notify Frederick Williams I was going to be leaving, and gave a 2 week notice. (He threatened to not pay me any wages owed if I did not work out two weeks!) However, 2 week notice was not listed in the contract!
My last day of work was May 21, and as of that day I was still due 3 weeks pay - the sum of $2,575.00 Astute held the money for 90 days, as was there option according to the contract. The money was due on August 21. As soon as that day passed, I began trying to get my money back. I called 20 times, and wrote a formal letter on Sept. 28. Each time I called, they said it would go out the next day, or some other excuse.
I filed suit against them in December and when the court date came Frederick failed to show. I presented my case, and all the documentation, and the Judge ruled in my favor. However, because of our court system, all the sheriff can do to collect funds is basically "ask" for them. He cannot threaten or harass, and can only confiscate vehicles with a deposit from me, which I cannot afford!
In short, I installed over 226 satellite systems with a perfect record of 0 warranty claims. My employee record is flawless, and Astute is simply a dishonest business. He has done this before, and will again. He is set up so carefully in that virtually no property is in the business name, and therefore there is nothing for the law to confiscate. He verbally abused the sherriff when he called regarding the notice of service, and has no intentions of paying this bill.
I am very far in debt because of this issue, and the judgement I have against him is virtually unenforceable. PLEASE BE AWARE! THIS BUSINESS IS FRADULANT, AND MISTREATS THEIR CUSTOMERS AS WELL AS THEIR EMPLOYEES.
The incorporating partners are as follows:
Melvin Terrell
6300 Chadford Drive, Apt. 1809
Raleigh NC 27612
Veronica Rand
101 Kitt Drive
Jacksonville NC 28540
Frederick Williams
1228-C Hamilton Court
Cary, NC 27511
1-866-937-6001
1-910-937-6008
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